- Monday, 25 October 2021 15:30
- Written by David Pipe
It was great to be back at Cheltenham over the weekend. The course looked magnificent ahead of their season opening two day meeting. Although we did not hit the mark last week, there were still some decent performances as well as a hard luck story or two, with Do Ya Feel Lucky in particular, unlucky not to score.
Mr Tambourine Man ran a good race at Worcester on Wednesday when contesting the valuable fixed brush hurdle series final over 2m4f. It was a competitive affair, which is unsurprising given the very good prize money on offer and the Arena Racing Company should be applauded. Mr Tambourine Man stuck on in good style in the closing stages having been a little outpaced at the entrance of the home straight and did well to finish fourth. He shapes as though he will benefit from a return to further and looks well capable of winning further races over hurdles.
Do Ya Feel Lucky was anything but lucky at Newton Abbot on Thursday in the 3m2½f mares’ handicap hurdle. Stepping up to this trip for the first time, whilst tackling rain-softened ground that was extremely testing, she was in the process of running an extremely game race when falling at the last hurdle when still upsides. She had jumped beautifully until then and certainly didn’t deserve this. She looked to be getting the better of things when departing and hopefully can continue to progress and gain compensation.
Panic Attack was another to run a nice race, finishing fourth in the Pertemps qualifier at Cheltenham on Saturday. This was her first try at three miles and she saw the longer distance out well to be beaten only 4½ lengths. It was good to see her run well at Cheltenham and dispel the myth that she needs a flat track to show her best. With her proving her stamina, it opens up more options for her and she is an exciting mare for the season ahead.
The Week Ahead
There are no runners from the stable this afternoon so our first racecourse representative will come at Chepstow tomorrow when the David Pipe Racing Club’s Jewari Of Saints runs in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle. A wide-margin winner at Dieppe on her penultimate start, she has had a wind operation since disappointing on her British debut at Worcester. I am hoping for an improved performance and she certainly won’t be lacking for support, with loads of runners kindly catered for by the racecourse. She will be ridden by conditional jockey Philip Armson.
Trusty Scout, who was a recent acquisition from the flat, could make his first start for the stable in the juvenile hurdle at Ffos Las on Thursday. He also holds an engagement on the flat at Wolverhampton on Saturday and could go there. We will take a look at the likely runners in each race before making a decision on where he goes.
There is a good card at Ascot on Saturday and there we have Leoncavallo entered in the Listed handicap hurdle. He ran a cracker last time out in the Welsh Champion Hurdle and richly deserves to land a nice prize for the Value Racing Club.
Eamon An Cnoic could make his seasonal reappearance in the Byrne Group handicap chase on the same card, whilst Grangeclare Glory is entered in the conditional jockeys’ handicap hurdle. He won last time out at Newton Abbot and could run here from a 3lbs higher mark.
Our final entry this week is the progressive Gericault Roque, who could make his fencing debut in the 2m3½f handicap chase at Wetherby on Saturday. A dual winning hurdler last season, he looks a lovely chaser in the making.
Newmarket Sales
The horses in training sales take place this week in Newmarket and as always, we have been working hard going through the catalogue looking for potential jumping stars of the future. We have a great record of finding the right horse for the right money, so if you would be interested in joining our friendly and ambitious team in an ownership capacity, please do get in touch. We pride ourselves on offering a great experience whether you own a share in a horse or a string of racehorses.
Wincanton Charity Race
Julie Bellamy (pictured below), who has worked at Pond House for the last 34 years, had a tremendous experience in the charity race at Wincanton on Sunday aboard Miss M. The pair finished a close-up seventh and had a lovely day out, in the process raising almost £1,900 in sponsorship money for Racing Welfare…a tremendous achievement and we are all very proud of her.
Fly’s Horse To Follow
Finally, it is the turn of stable amateur, Martin ‘Fly’ McIntyre to give us his horse to follow. Broadcaster Mike Vince recently caught up with him to discuss his hopes for the season ahead and nominate his selection. You can see who he picked by clicking on the image below…
